Chapter 1: A Book Report to Kill

JAN: “Welcome to Hank Hart Harting Community College, the finest institution a high school diploma and a D average can buy. The name’s Janitor, Jan for short.

I’d like to first start by intro– Well, I’m sure you’ve already read my introduction in the details, unless you’re one of those Tapas readers who like to skip that part….. 

ANYWAY, let’s jump right into it, shall we?

Auburn-haired, green-eyed, Sylvia Graham was your average community college student, possessing inherently unremarkable qualities that made her the type of girl to seamlessly blend into the background of a lecture hall, but today was her moment to shine.”

Hank Hart Harting Community College

Harty Lecture Hall: Advanced Literary Analysis Class 

Sylvia's POV

“–as the tunnel collapsed around them. William grabbed her hand, longing to feel her touch once more, before his world faded to black.” I finished my poem as my classmates clapped.

I couldn’t help the grin that stretched across my face. My poetry had gotten so much better since the beginning of this semester, and I’d made some major personal achievements in my writing that I was damn proud of.

I first took this class to push myself, break out of my comfort zone, so to speak. The first few times I tried to read my poetry in front of my peers, it felt like the story I wanted to tell didn't reach them. It was a frustrating feat to overcome. Now, not only has my writing improved, but so has my ability to captivate my audience!

As the applause quieted, only one person continued with an obnoxiously loud slow clap. I scanned the lecture hall of tiered seating, then immediately resisted the urge to roll my eyes. What was she doing now?

“Wow, that was amazing!” Willow Pritchard complimented, though her tone would have led anyone to believe otherwise.

The girl before me may have possessed a natural, effortless beauty, with her long, dirty blond locks and piercing blue eyes, but it didn't make up for the foul attitude she always had toward me. Willow seemed ready to constantly harass and humiliate me at every given opportunity. I gripped my poem tightly in my hand. So what did she have up her sleeve this time?

“Thank you?” I said, unsure of how to take the ‘compliment’.

I never knew why Willow felt the need to steal the spotlight from me every chance she got? Deep down, I hated her for it. She was already beautiful, well-dressed, intelligent, all the things that make up a desirable individual. So why did she always feel the need to drive a fucking wedge between me and a little success? It was unfair.

“Just amazing, like sooo good,” Willow reiterated annoyingly.

“Yes. You said that twice now,” I said flatly, turning to make my way back to my seat.

“It would’ve been even more amazing if it weren’t mine,” Willow said. I froze, my head snapping back to look at her. Her eyes were narrowed at me?!

I could feel my jaw drop from the shock of her accusation. I watched as my classmates looked at one another and began to murmur among themselves quietly. What was going on? That was my paper. I’d spent an entire week writing it! 

“W-what? Why are you lying?!” I stammered, trying not to fall to my knees under the weight of the judgemental stares of my peers. I could feel my face beginning to glow red. Willow just accused me of plagiarism in front of everyone!

“You’re the liar!” She retorted, pointing her long manicured finger straight at me. I opened my mouth to speak–

“Enough! Both of you give me your papers,” Professor Salisbury said sternly.

I felt my breath catch in my throat as I turned and slowly handed over the paper I had just finished reading. I felt a fury growing within me as I watched Willow prance down the aisle like some sort of model and lightly place her paper on his desk.

With a mixture of nausea, anger, and growing horror, I looked on as our papers were reviewed. My head flipping between Mr. Salisbury and Willow. I couldn't believe what I was having to go through. I could be kicked out of school for something like this! What the hell was she playing at this time?!

Professor Salisbury sighed before collecting the scattered papers and aligning them together with a few taps on his desk, then turning to look at us. I took a small gulp, trying to keep the feeling of nausea from climbing any higher in my throat.

“They’re exactly the same. I’m sorry, but we’re going to have to take this to a higher authority. This is quite a serious offence,” He said, with another deep sigh. My blood ran cold, it felt like my world was shattering around me.

“That’s not possible, I wrote this myself!” I tried to explain, as my heart sank deeper into my stomach.

“Ugh, I can’t believe you would do this,” Willow said, stomping off.

I stared after her, my eyes full of rage. I knew I didn’t do anything wrong! I was going to make sure that bitch came clean. Without another word, I stormed out of the lecture hall after her.

The air in the hallway was significantly cooler than the classroom. Making me immediately realize I had left all my things inside! Willow was already fading into the distance, I would just have to come back for it later and hope it was still there.

Running after her, I desperately tried to catch up, though it seemed like for every corner I turned, she was already disappearing down the end of the next. Just where the hell was she headed?!

I stopped short at the end of the hall where the social science building ended and watched her go up a service staircase of the old gymnasium. It was a building that was supposed to have been renovated, but the school lost the grant funding, so it just sat on campus collecting dust. Why would she be going there?

Placing my hand on the door, I pulled it open and walked inside. There were 3 floors to this building, which one could she have gone to? I started to regret my decision to follow, this was a bit creepy.

I started to climb the steps, opening up the door at each landing to peek and check for Willow, she hadn’t gone on any of those floors, so just where was she? My frustration immediately subsided as I turned my head to an ajar roof access door. That was it!

As I ascended the stairs, I could smell marijuana. Seriously, Willow? She was trying to get me kicked out while doing something illegal on campus? Her logic was completely backwards. I could feel the annoyance start to build and overtake my fear.

When I got to the top, I peeked through the door. Sliding pieces of a broken chain that were scattered across the floor away with my foot. The smell of weed was so intense, I started to get a headache. Pushing open the door a bit wider, I saw her!

Willow seemed to be having an argument with a guy. He was casually seated on an old sofa, he no doubt had dragged up here. I held my breath trying to listen to the conversation.

“–no, I'm seriously asking. Are you an idiot?” Willow asked rudely, glaring down at the man on the sofa. Her arms folded across her chest.

“Jeez, language. What's got you so uptight?” He asked, taking a deep puff, before exhaling an ungodly amount of smoke.

“Uptight?! I paid you to write a paper for me, not to steal it from someone in the same god damn class!” Willow seethed.

My eyes widened in shock! That shock was then replaced by anger. I gripped the door so tightly my knuckles turned white, before quickly pulling my phone out of my pocket. I started to record, I got you now, you wretched cunt.